State Stories

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recently announced one National winner and eight Section winners for the 2017 NFHS Heart of the Arts Award.

The Illinois High School Association’s (IHSA) nominee, Buffalo Grove High School senior Sabrina Kenoun, was named the Section 4 winner. Section 4 includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. The award is in its fourth year of existence, and Sabrina is the third Section winner from Illinois (click here for past nominees).

Sabrina was chosen as the IHSA’s nominee for her involvement in her high school, highlighted by her devotion to the arts. She was born with Spastic Diplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy, but it hasn't prevented her from taking on leadership roles within the Buffalo Grove High School newspaper, orchestra, and book club. Her passion for the arts was fully on display in a recent op-ed entitled “Why no one should judge you for following your dreams”, where she addressed what she feels is a growing narrative against arts-based careers due to a perceived lack of prestige.

“We are incredibly proud to represented by a student like Sabrina Kenoun,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said. “By relentlessly pursuing her passion, she is enjoying a fulfilling high school experience that will help shape her future for the better. She epitomizes the IHSA’s mission and we look forward to seeing the great things she will continue to achieve beyond high school.”

Sabrina was honored by the IHSA on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Peoria Civic Center’s Carver Arena during the Class 3A Boys Basketball State Championship, where Anderson presented Sabrina with her NFHS Sectional Winner plaque.